Historic Landmark Designation

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA DESIGNATING THE UNITARIAN CHURCH AT 1535 SANTA BARBARA STREET AS A CITY LANDMARK

WHEREAS, Section 22.22.050 of the Municipal Code of the City of Santa Barbara grants the Historic Landmarks Commission the authority to initiate a designation process to recommend to the City Council the designation as a City Landmark of any structure, natural feature, site or area having historic, architectural, archaeological, cultural or aesthetic significance;

WHEREAS, the owner of the property is the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara at 1529 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101;

WHEREAS, the Historic Structures/Sites Report accepted on August 22, 2007 by the Historic Landmarks Commission, has determined that the property listed in the title of this document qualifies for historic designation under City of Santa Barbara Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) criteria;

WHEREAS, the Historic Structures/Sites Report of 2007 found the Unitarian Church and Courtyard at 1535 Santa Barbara Street, designed by noted Santa Barbara architect E. Keith Lockard in 1930 with composition, massing and simplicity that are exemplary of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, is significant for its historical and architectural influence on the heritage of the City;

WHEREAS, under the provisions of Article 19, Section 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines and the City List of Activities Determined to Qualify for a Categorical Exemption (City Council Resolution Dated November 10, 1998), staff has determined that designation of the 1930 Unitarian Church Building and Courtyard as a City Landmark is categorically exempt in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, section 15308;

WHEREAS, on February 12, 2014, the Historic Landmarks Commission adopted Resolution of Intention 2014-3 to hold a public hearing to begin the City Landmark designation process for the 1930 Unitarian Church building and courtyard located at 1535 Santa Barbara Street, Assessor’s Parcel No. 027-241-026;

WHEREAS, the Historic Landmarks Commission held a public hearing on March 12, 2014, during which hearing public comments were invited on the proposed City Landmark designation and the Historic Landmarks Commission and adopted Resolution No. 2014-3 to recommend to the City Council designation as a City Landmark the Unitarian Church located at 1535 Santa Barbara Street, APN 027-241-026; and

WHEREAS, Section 22.22.050 of the Municipal Code of the City of Santa Barbara states that the City Council may designate as a City Landmark any structure, natural feature, site or area having historic, architectural, archaeological, cultural, or aesthetic significance by adopting a resolution of designation within 90 days following receipt of a recommendation from the Historic Landmarks Commission.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The Unitarian Church and the courtyard enclosed by stucco, scalloped walls, located at 1535 Santa Barbara Street, Assessor’s Parcel No. 027-241-026, are designated as a City Landmark based on the historic and cultural significance of facts presented in the City Landmark Designation Staff Report dated March 12, 2014. The 1957 building and the southerly portion of the parcel are excluded from the landmark designation as shown on the map on page 2 of the Historic Landmarks Commission Staff Report dated March 12, 2014.

SECTION 2. The City Council finds that the subject property meets the following City Landmark criteria (A through K) listed in section 22.22.040 of the Municipal Code:

Its character, interest or value as a significant part of the heritage of the City, the State or the Nation;

Its exemplification of a particular architectural style or way of life important to the City, the State, or the Nation;

Its identification as the creation, design, or work of a person or persons whose effort significantly influenced the heritage of the City, the State, or the Nation;

Its unique location or singular physical characteristic representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood;

SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall cause this resolution, upon adoption, to be recorded in the Office of the recorder of the County of Santa Barbara pursuant to Santa Barbara Municipal Code Section 22.22.055.